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...

Uzumaki Naruto had not slept well at all that night; today was his anniversary after all. He had been Hokage for five years, and in that time he had learned that the hokage did much more than what they led the public to believe. There was a time after his coronation that he, like all the Hokage's before him, acted as an olive branch to the people of Konoha. Naruto would spend a few hours each day wandering around Konoha, checking up on the people he'd sworn to protect.

Yet, as the months began and ended, his time doing this gradually depleted to where he was stuck in his office nearly all day. Mission rota's, academy applications, academy reports, clan requests-these were the things that Naruto overlooked when he became Hokage.

And now here he was again, bereft of a good night's sleep and yet again going over the village's issues with his advisor, Shikamaru.

"Along with the issue of barely any shinobi work, we're graduating another class today. The Jonin instructors have assembled downstairs, ready to be assigned their teams," said Shikamaru, flicking through his stack of papers, pulling out the necessary folders and placing them on the huge desk.

Glancing at the folders, Naruto saw a few familiar names. Konohamaru Sarutobi, Mirai Yuhi, and Izumo Kamizuki, to name but a few.

"Another class is graduating. That would mean Bol..." said Naruto before his voice trailed off.

Looking up from his papers, Shikamaru could notice the small details that gave Naruto away. The light purple bags that hung loose under each eye, the slightly more unkempt hair than normal. Even the twinkle in Naruto's eyes had seemed to have lost its luster.

"Yeah, Bolt and Shikidai are both graduating today. That is if either of them pass their tests," replied Shikamaru as he rubbed at the back of his head.

Naruto smiled as he remembered the somewhat disastrous circumstances behind his own graduation. Naruto had spent one of his rare afternoons off, teaching Bolt the proper way to make a Bunshin clone and the dynamics behind it. "I guess that's a good enough reason as any to leave the paperwork for another day," said Naruto as he pushed himself up from his desk, stretching out his back as he did so.

"What about the Jonin downstairs?" questioned Shikamaru.

"I doubt any of them are still waiting for us. I bet they've already made their way over to the academy to peek in on their potential students," replied Naruto.

"Bit of a drag, if you ask me."

"I wasn't asking," quipped Naruto as he adjusted the robes on his shoulders. With a shrug, a shadow clone burst into existence, sitting upon the seat Naruto had just vacated. "I'll be back soon. Try not to do anything too foolish."

Hopefully this clone had a little more sense to him,Shikamaru remembered that little escapade as well; Naruto had tried to push through mountains of paperwork with the help of his clones which sadly didn't quite have the same agenda as him and put through a lot of motions that weren't quite favourable to a number of the first and last set of clones were used back when there was more work to be done back in Naruto's first year as Hokage one would imagine that the clone that had just been summoned would show some manner of maturity with it's work.

Opening one of the huge windows that looked out onto the old Konoha district; Naruto leaped to a nearby rooftop and started his slow jog towards the academy.

"Why can't we just take the doors like normal people?" asked Shikamaru as he gave chase.

"'Cause it's quicker this way. You know that."

"Exactly, so why can't we take the doors?"

...

Sipping on his third cup of coffee that morning, Shino carefully rifled through the list of names he had been given that would be taking the graduation exam.

Bolt Uzumaki

Himawari Uzumaki

Sarada Uchiha

Shikidai Nara

Inojin Yamanaka

Chocho Akimichi

Kabu Inuzuka

Kumo Aburame

Shino frowned as he looked down the meager list in front of he started teaching this class there had been more than triple the amount of names than what was in front of him. There had been a good mix of villager's children and children from the esteemed Konoha clans, yet as the school years passed, there was just too much of an obvious gulf in skill. The villager students struggled with understanding the basic fundamentals of chakra, while the children from the clans picked it up as if it was second nature.

When it came to exercises, the children were on more of an even footing, but eventually that too caused an obvious rift in ability. The fact of the matter was that the children from the clans were learning and adapting at a quicker rate while the others were seeing improvements over a longer span of time. For Shino, logic dictated that he would have greater results from the youngsters who improved at a constant rate than the ones whose improvement was sporadic at best.

With his findings taken to headmaster Iruka and the Hokage, they both had agreed that the ordinary children weren't performing to the standards set by the academy and had to be removed. Shino had lost count of the dirty looks this had earned him on his daily walk from home to the academy, but he didn't care. His logic and data had proven his findings and had brought him to the most obvious conclusion. They just weren't good enough.

Shino gulped down the rest of his now cooled beverage as the bell rang for his students to come in from their extended lunch. The afternoon would be full of nothing but graduation exams, a fact not lost on Shino as he looked out of his window at the group lining up in single file outside the exam hall. His eyes lingered on one erratic blond haired student.

...

Bolt could feel his insides wanting to tear out and become his outsides. His heart raced, his forehead was becoming slick with a thin film of cold sweat, and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing to attention.

"So, you worried?" asked Shikidai, bored as always.

Bolt wanted to answer, but his Adam's apple had turned to stone. The lump in his throat proved a struggle to shift as what he replied came out in a whispered tone. "Who me? Never," said Bolt when he got his voice back under control. "I'm Bolt Uzumaki, the Leaf's number one prankster. Something like an exam can't shake me," finished Bolt, mustering all the false bravado he could.

"He's absolutely terrified," interjected Sarada, adjusting her thick rimmed glasses. " I can hear his heart racing from fear, and if he keeps sweating anymore, he's going to make a puddle."

"Who asked you, Four Eyes?" shouted Bolt, obviously flustered.

"Now, now, Big Brother. She meant nothing by it. Now apologise to Sarada," said Himawari, the younger of the Uzumaki siblings wanting to avoid another outburst.

As if on cue, Shino poked his visored head around the door, the line of students quickly becoming silent once his presence was known. It was a well known fact that Shino looked out for his students, yet he was the sternest amongst the teachers when he needed to be. Many a time the threat of his kekkai bugs eating them in their sleep had solved a classroom dispute.

"You will be called in one at a time in alphabetical order. Please leave any personal objects with me before you enter the exam hall. Breaking this rule causes an automatic exam failure."

This made Bolt's Adam's Apple turn to stone once again. He would be one of the last to take his exam. Everyone would know if he failed or not straight away.

"You will first be taking a written exam. Do not try to cheat. Iruka-sensei and a squad of elite sensory ninja will be watching over it personally. After the written exam will be your practical exam where the same rules apply," said Shino in his usual stoic manner.

"You're not taking the exam, Shino-sensei?" asked Himawari.

"No. I could be inclined to overlook cheating because of my attachment to you guys. For what it's worth, I'd like to see you all pass," replied Shino.

As the line of students trudged into the hall, Bolt could almost feel the pit of dread in his stomach weighing down his steps, as he handed over his necklace to Shino-sensei and collected his paper from him.

...

Shikamaru trailed lightly behind Naruto, knowing that the pace that the blond was using was a slow one. It was probably good that he was behind lest he see the disappointed expression that was likely plaguing the leader of the village. He didn't blame him by any means. Looking over his shoulder he was able to see just above the Hokage monument to where the tops of skyscrapers adorned the skies. Chances were that at that moment in time there were more people in that one building alone then there were littered amongst the streets of Konoha. True that this was likely due to a majority of the population working at that exact moment, but it was a testament to how much of the population had relocated over time.

Shikamaru knew it was tough times for the Hokage, despite the brave face he wore on a daily basis. Looking through the archive records it was clear that missions were reaching a low that hadn't been seen since the Second was in charge. With the missions drying up, the Daimyo had decreased Konoha's funding and used the resources to help develop the "future" as he'd called it. Naruto had tried his best to reason with the lord, but no matter what he said, nothing could reach the man's ears.

"We're here," announced Naruto as he dropped to the ground floor in front of the academy where a number of nervous parents were waiting.

"There you are," said Hinata with a coy smile as Naruto quickly closed the distance and gave her a quick kiss. "Here I was thinking you weren't going to make it."

"Please. I promised Bolt last night," said Naruto with a cheeky smile.

"And you never break a promise," said Hinata, finishing what everybody else was thinking.

"So, any predictions on who's going to make it through?" asked Sakura as she put her hands on her hips.

"If my son's going to do like I think he will, then no," declared Shikamaru.

"Oi, unlike you I actually want our son to pass," scolded Temari with a puff in her cheeks.

"Well, if yours passes, Shika, then Inojin's going to be top of the class," stated Ino, flicking her hair back as she did so.

"Yea right, Thunder Thighs," said Karui, causing a tick mark to appear on Ino's brow.

"Thunder Thighs; is that the best you can come up with?" said Ino, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her. Despite Karui having been a part of her life for so long, the two of them had never really been able to get along.

"Well, calling you an airhead is almost too easy," said Karui with a shrug of the shoulders.

"Now, now dear, calm yourself," said Sai, doing his best to make sure Ino didn't assault Karui in any way.

"Honey, please stop agitating Ino," said Chouji as he gently placed his arm upon his wife's shoulders. "I rather not have you under her jutsu again."

"Come on now, guys. Let's not argue about things," said Naruto, doing his best to play peacemaker. "Remember, we're all here to congratulate our children when they graduate."

"Well, somebody's full of hope that both their children are getting through," stated Kiba.

"Wait, both?" questioned Naruto.

"Man, don't tell me you were too dense to realise that your daughter's taking the test today as well," said Kiba.

"When did this happen?" asked Naruto as he turned to his wife.

"I told you a week ago," said Hinata. "Himawari was able to do all of the credentials in order to graduate, so she asked me if she had my permission to take the exams."

"And you said yes?" said Naruto flabbergasted.

"I told her to ask you, and she told me that you said yes," declared Hinata.

"I said yes?" said Naruto, getting completely confused with what was going on.

"Man, I think you need to take a vacation or something," said Chouji. "Clearly being Hokage's getting to you."

"But that's it. I'm the Hokage," said Naruto. "I can't just do a Killer Bee and bail for a couple of months."

While various members of the group bickered about Naruto's wellbeing, Shikamaru knew that Naruto was shouldering a lot onto his own shoulders. With so many of the major civilian clans having left for the city, it meant that the council had been disbanded as it seemed pointless to discuss economic business with only the clan heads. This, of course, meant that Naruto had to take every problem that the civilian part of the council would have originally dealt with. From worthwhile to obsolete, every one of them became another job thrust at him. It was eating away at him piece by piece, and considering that, it was understandable how he had said yes to his daughter without fully registering the question.

"I think you should take the vacation," said Shikamaru slightly stunning everyone.

"Aren't you meant to be on my side here?" asked Naruto.

"I'm going to send a letter to the Kazekage to see whether or not it's alright for you to go visit for a week," declared Shikamaru.

"Suna, excellent. I needed to talk to Gaara anyways to discuss a trade deal for timber stocks," said Naruto.

"I will also put in the letter that during your stay he is not permitted to speak with you about anything regarding to exports, imports, or anything remotely business related," stated Shikamaru. "I'm saying this as both your advisor and your friend."

"Well, if you say it's for the best," said Naruto, rubbing the back of his head.

"Please, though, during your time there, please don't do anything stupid," warned Temari.

"Pfft, it's not like I'd simply go into the desert and try and fight Shukaku or anything," said Naruto, brushing it off. Looking at everybody's expressions, though, it was clear that that was exactly what they thought he'd go and do.

"Well while you're gone, I'll look after the Hokage seat for you," stated Kiba.

"Shika, you'll be in charge while I'm gone," said Naruto, quickly shooting down Kiba's idea and causing a couple of people in the group to chuckle.

"I agree. Kiba in charge would likely lead to some manner of disaster," said Shino.

"Shino, the hell. When did you get here?" asked Sakura, having not noticed the insect-user arrive in the group.

"I have been here for several minutes," said Shino, mildly upset that he had been overlooked for so long. "I came to inform you that your children are undergoing their written exam as we speak."

...

Written exam, why did it have to be a written exam?

Bolt tore at his hair as he stared at the paper in front of him. He had been so busy trying to master all of the necessary jutsu that the idea he'd have to study beforehand had never occurred to him.

"The exam will take two hours. Turn over your sheets and begin," said Iruka, turning the hourglass over.

Turning the sheet over, Bolt was simply perplexed at what was on the sheet before him. Ok, Bolt, take it easy. You can do this. Right; question one: "Shino-sensei throws a kunai at a target at 14 mph, standing at a distance of 25 yards. How long does the kunai take to reach it's target?"

Bolt looked bemusedly at his paper as he desperately tried to tap into the portion of his memory that contained the answer. Shinobi's rules, no. Taijutsu holds depending on gender, no. Math, where are you math?

Letting out a loud sigh as he clutched at his head, Bolt looked on in vain at his fellow students. Shikidai hadn't even bothered to turn over his paper, more interested in the small family of sparrows, nesting high up in a nearby tree. Sarada and Himawari were both transfixed by their papers, their hands darting across the page as their concentration never broke from it. Fortunately for Bolt a few others were having similar problems to him, the already-pale Inojin having turned a snowy white in complexion. Kabu Inuzuka had taken to purely snarling and huffing at his test, as his docile companion Teria snoozed peacefully on the boy's desk.

This was going to be a long two hours.

…

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